How to Learn Kanji Effectively: Strategies That Actually Work
Learning Through Radicals
Kanji are built from smaller components called radicals. Learning these building blocks lets you decompose complex kanji into familiar parts. For example, δΌ (rest) combines δΊΊ (person) and ζ¨ (tree) β a person resting against a tree. The character ζ (bright) combines ζ₯ (sun) and ζ (moon) β sun and moon together mean bright.
Use our Kanji Lookup to explore kanji components and find connections between characters.
Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is the most scientifically supported method for long-term memorization. Review kanji at increasing intervals: after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days. Each successful recall strengthens the memory trace. Our Daily Kanji tool builds this habit with one new kanji each day.
Learning in Context
Never learn kanji in isolation. Study each kanji as part of vocabulary words: learn ι£ through ι£γΉγ (to eat), ι£δΊ (meal), ει£ (Japanese food). This gives you both kanji recognition and useful vocabulary simultaneously. Generate writing practice sheets for the kanji you're currently studying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many kanji do I need to know? βΌ
For JLPT N5 about 100, N4 about 300, N3 about 650, N2 about 1,000, and N1 about 2,000. To read a newspaper, approximately 2,136 kanji (the joyo kanji list) are needed.
Should I learn kanji by writing them? βΌ
Writing is very effective for memorization because it engages motor memory. However, recognition (reading) is more immediately practical. A balanced approach works best β write new kanji a few times, then focus on reading them in context.
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